Bloomington Ward 3 candidate Lane Hansen joined WJBC's Beth Whisman in studio on Wednesday. (Photo By Beth Whisman/WJBC)

By Paul Morello

BLOOMINGTON - The challenger in the Bloomington City Council Ward 3 race said Wednesday he wants the city to focus its resources on repairing sewers and roads.

Lane Hansen said the city shouldn't put away its surplus, it should use the money for improvements.

"That's great that they have that money in the bank, but they're really not saving that money, they're just putting it off and it's going to cost even more later if they continue to ignore it," he said.

Hansen has lived in McLean County since 1986 and works in systems at State Farm. He's being opposed by incumbent Mboka Mwilambwe.

PODCAST: Listen to Lane Hansen on WJBC

Hansen said he would also like to see more private funding of facilities like the Miller Park Zoo and the Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts, so those funds can be channeled towards upgrading infrastructure.

"It's not that I'm against growing the zoo, but if it's going to be done right now, I think that needs to be a public-private partnership and not the city paying for it," he said.

Country Financial, Growmark and the Illinois Farm Bureau announced a $100,000 donation to the zoo Wednesday.

The election is April 9. 

Paul Morello can be reached at paul@wjbc.com.